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Stomata (2 of 3) Tradeoff

Image caption:Levels of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere change over time — so at times when the atmosphere is carbon-dioxide-rich, plants can get away with having fewer stomata since each individual stoma will be able to bring in more carbon dioxide. During those high-carbon-dioxide times, plants with fewer stomata will have an advantage and will be common. On the other hand, when carbon dioxide levels are low, plants need many stomata in order to scrape together enough carbon dioxide to survive. During low-carbon-dioxide times, plants with more stomata will have an advantage and will be common.

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This image is part of a series:

Stomata (1 of 3) FunctionCarbon dioxide enters, while water and oxygen exit, through a leaf's stomata. Stomata control a tradeoff for the plant: they allow carbon dioxide in, but they also let precious water escape.

Stomata (3 of 3) Indicators of CO2 and temperatureStomata of fossil plants can be used to directly estimate past carbon dioxide levels, and those carbon dioxide levels can then be used to make an indirect estimate of temperature. Typically (although there are exceptions to the rule), fossils with many stomata (low carbon dioxide) came from times of low global temperature, and fossils with few stomata (high carbon dioxide) came from times of high global temperatures.